
Sprue Cutters topic 11
This weeks topic is all about where we "hang out" to discuss our hobby whether that be a digital hangout spot or a "real life" hang out to discuss our hobby:
Hanging out in real life
My real life hang out for modelling realistically only kicked off around six years ago. Before then my discussions were limited to mild interest from my family and friends when they noticed me sitting at my desk concentrating on my latest project or often muttering something obscene under my breath when a part was not sitting as it should be. Unfortunately there are no model shows remotely close to where I live nor is there a scale model club of any description so essentially I was on my own. Anyway around six years years ago the college that I worked for decided that it would be a good idea to assign an individual classroom to all of its lecturers; the idea being that we could organise and/or decorate the room as we pleased. Naturally I took this opportunity to grab two large lockable display cabinets and filled them with a selection of completed models from my attic. I was a little apprehensive at first as I had never publicly displayed my work before, but after only one day I knew that I had made the right decision. I had both staff and students alike asking me all sorts of questions about how I had made the models, where to buy kits from, etc. I know of at least ten past students who took up the hobby as a result of seeing my work and being inspired to do something themselves. In addition a technician who worked with us said that he makes scale models and that he had been doing so since he was a child. Chris (the technician) who is now the wrong side of sixty enjoyed talking about the hobby as much as did making the models, so for a number of years I was happy in work as well as at home because I could now talk about models when I wasn't making them. I have since moved on from the college that worked after being offered a teaching position at a University. The down side was that I don't have a classroom to myself, however my office is significantly larger than my last one and the University very kindly allowed me to have a large bookcase and as many wall mounted shelves as I want to display my models. I still get the same reactions as before from my colleagues and students who pop into my office to talk to me. I have also since found out that there are plans for a model show near to me in the near future and I am looking forward to visiting or perhaps even exhibiting some of my work.
Hanging out in a digital world

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Nice to see your models have inspired the next generation of modellers. Good work!
ReplyDeleteThere certainly is that aspect of the Know it all, just ask them. Thanks for the tip on Twitter i am not a user so i may have to look into it.
ReplyDeleteits a brilliant way to talk to people and view their builds as its they are happening or just to have a conversation with someone else involved in the hobby
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